Powder dispenser

Abstract

Using various embodiments an arrangement of a novel device that employs the interaction of a selectively permeable flexible membrane, a penetrating orifice and an integrated straw to enable convenient dispensing of powdered substances. In one embodiment, the device comprises a reservoir, a permeable slit flexible membrane, a spring-biased dispensing orifice, a moving assembly configured to cause penetration of a portion of the spring-biased dispensing orifice into the permeable slit flexible membrane when a force is applied on the moving assembly, and a spring, coupled to the moving assembly, configured to rebound the moving assembly into a resting position when the force is released.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A powder dispenser, comprising:
 a reservoir configured for storing a powder to be dispensed; 
 a permeable slit flexible membrane configured for selectively permitting dispensing of the powder, wherein the permeable slit flexible membrane mates with the reservoir and acts as a secure barrier to prevent the powder from escaping from the reservoir when the powder dispenser is not in operation; 
 a spring-biased dispensing orifice, including a dispensing area configured for dispensing the powder; 
 a moving assembly configured to cause penetration of a portion of the spring-biased dispensing orifice into the permeable slit flexible membrane when a force is applied on the moving assembly; and 
 a spring, coupled to the moving assembly, configured to rebound the moving assembly into a resting position when the force is released. 
 
     
     
       2. The powder dispenser of  claim 1 , further comprising an inhalation channel configured to be operable for inhaling the powder to be dispensed, wherein the inhalation channel becomes operable for inhaling the powder when the dispensing area is blocked by a user. 
     
     
       3. The powder dispenser of  claim 2 , wherein the inhalation channel further comprises an intake orifice and a tubing segment. 
     
     
       4. The powder dispenser of  claim 2 , further comprising an air inlet configured for creating an airflow path when the dispensing area is blocked by the user. 
     
     
       5. The powder dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the moving assembly includes at least one of the reservoir, a base coupled to the reservoir, or the permeable slit flexible membrane. 
     
     
       6. The powder dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the moving assembly includes the spring-biased dispensing orifice. 
     
     
       7. The powder dispenser of  claim 1 , further comprising an observation slot configured for observing an amount of powder remaining in the reservoir. 
     
     
       8. The powder dispenser of  claim 1 , further comprising a travel adjustment ring, the travel adjustment ring controlling a maximum translation of the moving assembly. 
     
     
       9. The powder dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the portion of the spring-biased dispensing orifice that penetrates the permeable slit flexible membrane includes a leading edge. 
     
     
       10. The powder dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the permeable slit flexible membrane is constructed using at least one of silicone or another easily deformable yet resilient material. 
     
     
       11. A powder dispenser, comprising:
 a means configured for storing a powder to be dispensed; 
 a means configured for selectively permitting the dispensing of the powder, wherein the means configured for selectively permitting the dispensing of the powder mates with the means configured for storing and acts as a secure barrier to prevent the powder from escaping from the means configured for storing when the powder dispenser is not in operation; 
 a means configured for dispensing of the powder, wherein the means configured for dispensing includes a dispensing area configured for dispensing the powder; 
 a means configured for penetrating the means configured for selectively permitting the dispensing of the powder, wherein the means configured for penetrating causes a portion of the means configured for dispensing into the means configured for selectively permitting the dispensing of the powder when a force is applied on the means configured for penetrating; and 
 a means configured for rebounding the means configured for penetrating into a resting position when the force is released. 
 
     
     
       12. The powder dispenser of  claim 11 , further comprising a means configured for inhaling the powder, the means for inhaling comprises an inhalation channel that becomes operable for inhaling the powder when the dispensing area is blocked by a user. 
     
     
       13. The powder dispenser of  claim 12 , wherein the means configured for inhaling further comprises an intake orifice and a tubing segment. 
     
     
       14. The powder dispenser of  claim 12 , further comprising a means configured for providing an air-flow path when the dispensing area is blocked by the user. 
     
     
       15. The powder dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein the means configured for penetrating includes at least one of the means configured for storing, a base coupled to the means configured for storing, or the means configured for selectively permitting the dispensing of the powder. 
     
     
       16. The powder dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein the means configured for penetrating includes the means configured for dispensing. 
     
     
       17. The powder dispenser of  claim 11 , further comprising a means configured for observing an amount of powder remaining in the means configured for storing. 
     
     
       18. The powder dispenser of  claim 11 , further comprising a means configured for adjusting a maximum translation of the means configured for penetrating. 
     
     
       19. The powder dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein the portion of the means configured for dispensing that penetrates the means configured for selectively permitting the dispensing of the powder includes a leading edge. 
     
     
       20. The powder dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein the means configured for selectively permitting the dispensing of the powder is constructed using at least one of silicone or another easily deformable yet resilient material.